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Local authorities have announced that two historic landmarks in Uzundere, Erzurum—Enguzekapi Castle and Osvank Church—will soon be integrated into the region's tourism network through restoration and landscaping initiatives.
Perched on a steep, rocky hill in the Dikyar neighborhood, the Enguzekapi Castle served as an important medieval defensive and observation outpost. Over the centuries, the castle was controlled by various civilizations, including the Byzantine Empire, the Karakoyunlu confederation, and the Ottoman Empire, which captured the site in 1536–1537 and renamed it Agcakale. Today, portions of its 30-meter-high walls remain standing.
The castle overlooks the Tortum Stream and its surrounding valley, and an access road has already been constructed to facilitate visits. A comprehensive survey and restitution project will be launched to guide the official restoration process.
Uzundere Mayor Halis Ozsoy told Anadolu Agency (AA) that while the castle was first built for defense, it is now being prepared to welcome visitors from around the world.
“To do this, we will set up a reception center, areas to sell local products, and spaces for visitors' needs in the lower section as part of the survey and restitution project. Since the castle is close to the highway, we also have a lighting project. We will put up a large Turkish flag here and open it for people from all over the world to visit, see, and explore,” Ozsoy said.
He said that the Eastern Anatolia Project (DAP) Regional Development Administration has been asked for funding, and the provincial governor has told the Investment Monitoring and Coordination Presidency to improve the access road. He expects construction on the road to start soon.
The Osvank Church, located in the Camliymac neighborhood and built during the reign of Georgian King Adernese in the 10th century, is in a significantly more precarious state.
The load-bearing sections of the three-structure complex have suffered deformation over the years, while walls, columns, and decorative elements have sustained damage.
A structural monitoring study was carried out seven years ago, but no repair work has followed.
Ozsoy said the church is now too dangerous to enter. “The load-bearing sections have serious deterioration and are collapsing. There are cracks at the corner joints of the walls. The ceiling in the main apse area has collapsed and there are subsidence issues in the upper dome section,” he said.
“If we do not begin repairs this year or next, there will be damage that cannot be undone.”
He also mentioned that about four or five groups of Georgian tourists visit the area each week because the church is important to them for religious reasons. However, the building's poor condition now makes it unsafe to enter.
Ozsoy explained that Türkiye's agreement to repair the church is part of a larger exchange: Türkiye will restore the church if Georgia provides a Muslim religious site in Batumi.
So far, he said, the buildings offered by Georgia have been either too small or not significant enough.
Camliymac Neighborhood Headman Rahim Gozcu also spoke about the issue, warning that the church's worsening condition could threaten nearby buildings. He urged authorities to expedite necessary repairs.
If restored, both sites are expected to boost cultural tourism in Uzundere and the wider Erzurum area. The projects are being developed together with the Erzurum Governor's Office, the DAP Regional Development Administration, and the Uzundere Municipality.
Mayor Ozsoy said the district already attracts visitors for water and nature activities, and that bringing in heritage tourism is an important goal.
Both Osvank Church and Enguzekapi Castle, which Ottoman traveler Evliya Celebi described as part of the Tortum region he called “Sengistan,” or “Land of Stones,” offer a rich historical experience with strong potential to draw international visitors.
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